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Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

'Yeah, that really plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.

'My daddy's in the home and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't want to cut it off so I thought let's do something different that nobody else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to 'express yourself' but not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My papa's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football but has actually only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only just recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his best start to a Premier League season with five objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch enhancement

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teen who made his launching under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and on Sunday, he will be back in London feeding 100 families for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where whatever will be free in a regional supermarket.

'You understand what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an extreme video game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.

'In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has motivated me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's just best with the influence I have that I give back also.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more objectives than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you desire to do your best to impress the manager and desire everyone to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it's positive, you do not mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually plays a part.'
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One of those people that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn't be reluctant when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League up until now' and he agrees.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi insists that he's always had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a Luv?'

'I have actually been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it's my finest start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make certain it's my best season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a supervisor who offers you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap".

It's likewise a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi reveals.
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'He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I know the first time he didn't comprehend what was stated but he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the group - even individuals who don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to build around the midfielder but he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which's brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later in 2023

Iwobi will have his work eliminated as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another little bit of totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly great. It's like one big household.'

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi insists.
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Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi